Course Title: Language Management in Global Organisations

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Language Management in Global Organisations

Credit Points: 12.00


Course Coordinator: A/Prof. Kerry Mullan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 2264

Course Coordinator Email: kerry.mullan@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 37.5.27A

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

In this course you will cover language and culture-related issues which impact the management of international organisations, as well as strategies for language management in multinational and international organisations You will focus on a number of case studies in both Asian and Western organisations and the impact of language diversity on global operations.  

Topics will include:  

  • language as a management concept—a knowledge management perspective 
  • the relationship of language, culture and management in the development of language strategies for international organisations 
  • inter-unit communication in multinational organisations 
  • managing language diversity in global business teams  
  • language management strategies for foreign subsidiaries 
  • translation markets and language management; the implications for global/local marketing 
  • linguistic auditing; matching an organisation’s language capabilities with its strategic needs. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This is an optional course in the Master of Translating and Interpreting, MC214. 


 Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to: 

  1. Critically reflect on the importance of language management for international and intercultural communication. 
  2. Analyse and debate the range of strategic options available to international organisations to manage language more professionally.  
  3. Conduct independent research and evaluate the global/local issues related to language management in multinational organisations. 
  4. Identify appropriate modes of electronic, written, graphic, oral and aural communication for the multicultural workplace.  




Overview of Learning Activities

 You will be engaged in learning that involves a range of activities both face-to-face and online such as lectures, seminars, guest speakers, the presentation of audio-visual materials, and interactive tutorial activities including group-based discussion and problem-solving tasks.  

You will be expected to actively contribute to the construction of a supportive learning environment, in which peer-based learning will be an important component. Participation in discussions and activities, and engagement with the weekly reading materials is expected.  


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through Canvas. 

A list of prescribed and recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal. 


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course learning outcomes and on your development throughout the course. Assessment Tasks 

Assessment Task 1: Case studies, 2 x 500 words, 25% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO4 ) 

Assessment Task 2: Major Case Study Presentation (Group work), 1,500 words, 35% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4) 

Assessment Task 3: Essay, 2000-2,500 words, 40% (CLO1, CLO2, CLO3, CLO4). 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks. 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more. 

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.